Open ProvincesCar insurance in Ontario: what is compulsory and where to buy it
How car insurance works in Ontario: public or private model, the compulsory coverage and the proof you need to register a vehicle, from the official pages.
Compulsory insurance and where to buy it
Private insurance, compulsory: every registered vehicle must be insured and you must show proof before registering or renewing. A 2021-era FSRA document gives a $200,000 minimum third-party liability: confirm the current figure. FSRA (the regulator) enforces the Take-All-Comers rule: insurers and brokers must offer eligible consumers a quote or renewal, and you can pay in monthly installments.
Minimum liability limits are the legal floor: most drivers buy more. Some figures come from older handbooks or archived copies of the law, as noted: confirm with the registry or regulator before relying on them. Your premium depends on your record, vehicle and territory, and shopping around is allowed where insurance is private. Rules, fees and programs change and were read on 2026-11-14: confirm with the official source. General information, not legal advice. Quebec follows its own rules: see atlasquebec.ca.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Ontario: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Ontario: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Ontario: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Ontario: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Ontario: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Ontario: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Ontario: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Ontario: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Ontario: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Ontario: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in Ontario: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in Ontario: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in Ontario: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in Ontario: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in Ontario without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in Ontario: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in Ontario: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in Ontario: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in Ontario: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in Ontario: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to Ontario: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in Ontario: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in Ontario: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in Ontario: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in Ontario: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in Ontario: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in Ontario: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in Ontario: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in Ontario: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in Ontario
- Fishing and hunting licences in Ontario: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in Ontario: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in Ontario: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in Ontario
- New drivers in Ontario: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in Ontario
- Probate fees in Ontario: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in Ontario: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in Ontario: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in Ontario: where to apply
- Voting in Ontario: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Ontario